Jesus and the Old Wineskins
Sermon Series
Sermon Study Guide
Scripture
Mark 2:18-3:6
Speaker
Pastor Joey
Sermon Study Guide
Q1: Icebreaker: Mark 2:21-22 is a very famous saying by Jesus. What modern day examples do you have of new wine in old or new wineskins? i.e. the new having trouble mixing with the old?
Q2: Jesus is questioned about why His disciples are not fasting like the Pharisees or John the Baptist’s disciples? Jesus doesn’t say fasting is bad or wrong, but simply that while they’re with Jesus the time is for celebration not for fasting. Share a time that you did something like fasting or dedicated a time to focus on God? Why did you do it?
Q3: Jesus is questioned again about why His disciples are doing something unlawful like picking grain on the Sabbath when no harvesting or reaping should be done. They really are nit-picking the Sabbath commandments and being very legalistic about the laws. They have missed the entire spirit of the Sabbath law being for man’s well-being, not man serving the Sabbath’s well-being. Have you ever met someone who is very dogmatic about what is right and wrong according to Scripture, and leaves no room for any other interpretations or application?
Q4: Jesus heals a man’s withered hand, which would normally be a good thing. However, it was on the Sabbath day, a day in which no work should be done. What would you do if you’re a surgeon? Would you perform life-saving surgery on a Sabbath day? What about a minor surgery?
Q5: Which of the 3 stories above have a common theme of how to understand change, how to understand what some of these common “pressures” are: 1) imitation, 2) dogma, and 3) tradition. Which of these do you relate to the most? Which one do you reject the most?
Q6: Jesus is in not in the business of carrying on the ways of the Pharisees. He’s bringing a new covenant, a new way of relationship with God. In what ways are you hoping for God to do something new in your life in 2025? In what ways do you need to adjust yourself as a vessel to receive this new thing?
Q7: Which part of this message on Jesus and old wineskins surprised you the most? Which part resonated with you the most?
